What puts the wheels in Wheeling Chef?

Yesterday it came to my attention that March is Cerebral Palsy awareness month. Cerebral palsy is the name given to a group of   disorders  that  impact muscle coordination and   is characterized by;

• Muscle tightness or spasm
  
• Involuntary movement
  
• Disturbance in gait and mobility
  
• Abnormal sensation and perception
  
• Impairment of sight, hearing or speech
  
• Seizures

Cerebral palsy can occur during fetal development or shortly after birth when specific areas of the brain are damaged. It is not a progressive disability nor is it curable, it is also not genetic or contagious.  Why do I care? Cerebral Palsy is what puts the "wheels" in the wheeling chef. 

I was born with moderate spastic cerebral palsy that affects my legs and my hands to a slight degree.    It may seem strange that a person with a condition that affects my hands would choose a culinary career,  but the involvement in my hands is slight but  my condition does sometimes cause me to come up with creative solutions turning  difficulties into  challenges  to be overcome and adapted too not seen as barriers that cause me to throw my hands up and surrender!


I have been asked if I would take accept a cure to my disability if it were offered. No I would not, I don't suffer from my disability, I am grateful for it. I have done more because of my disability then many of my non disabled friends. I run my own business, I am able to participate in a sport that I love That is not to say that life isn't frustrating at times but who can honestly that they don't get frustrated at times?
I was dealt a hand in life that includes a condition that makes life interesting, and requires me to improvise and adapt to make things work for me, but that makes life fun. 

Some of you may have questions about cerebral palsy. I am no medical expert but I live with it everyday so feel free to ask me any question you may have. I will answer them as best I can.

And now you know a little more about your favorite wheelchair fencing  cookie baker and how I roll!
Now its time to get back in the kitchen and make some cookies, The Cincinnati tournament is in two weeks!